Yobe Boosts Student Support with 100% Scholarship Increase for Over 28,000 Beneficiaries

Yobe Boosts Student Support with 100% Scholarship Increase for Over 28,000 Beneficiaries

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Government has commenced the disbursement of scholarships and bursaries to 28,346 eligible students for the 2025/2026 academic session, marking one of the largest educational support interventions in the state’s history.

Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Scholarship Board (YOSB), Dr Kagu Abubakar, announced the rollout on Friday in Damaturu. He explained that the administration had doubled scholarship payments this year to cushion the rising cost of education and ensure students complete their studies without financial hurdles.

Under the expanded scheme, postgraduate students will now receive ₦110,000 per session, up from ₦55,000. Undergraduate students are set to get ₦46,000, while HND, NCE, and National Diploma students will receive ₦34,000—an increase from ₦17,000. Students enrolled in other diploma and certificate programmes will receive ₦26,000, compared to ₦13,000 previously.

Dr Abubakar noted that the 100 per cent increment reflects the government’s commitment to mitigating current economic pressures and easing the financial burden on families.

He described the initiative as the most impactful educational support by any state government in the country since 2001.

According to him, Yobe State University (YSU) accounts for the highest number of beneficiaries, with 7,636 students approved for funding—an indication of the institution’s increasing enrolment across the 17 local government areas.

He added that the scholarships also cover students in other universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and specialised institutions nationwide, ensuring widespread access to higher education, especially for vulnerable groups.